Kailyn
Imake it into the locker room and stand by the wall just as Coach walks in and gathers the team for his pregame speech.
“Hey, are you okay? Hannah said Eric was being Eric, and she was concerned for you.” Emilia approaches, frantic in her steps.
The way that these girls have rallied behind me and made me feel safe and seen has truly been a blessing that I was missing.
I feel Hannah come up on my other side and lean her head on my shoulder and I can’t help the tears that build up again.
I give her a soft smile that has her snuggling closer to me.
I lean my head on Hannah’s as I grab Emilia’s hand in mine. “Ask me again when tonight is over.” That’s all the answer she needs as she squeezes my hand and we turn our attention to the center of the room as Coach starts talking.
“Alright, boys. You all know tonight we’re playing our biggest rivals.
You’re playing well together, and I couldn’t be more proud of the team you’ve turned into.
I’m not gonna drone on up here, all I’m gonna say is keep your heads in the game, listen to each other, and for the rookies, follow the vets lead.
They know what this rivalry with Florida entails, so what they say can be the key to making sure you last each shift and play well.
” Coach eyes each person in the room as they all nod along with him.
I’m glad to work for a Coach that truly respects and loves his players. It’s evident in every action he takes and the words he says that he truly cares about his players and staff. “With that said, play your hearts out and have a great game. Blaze on three. One, two, three.”
“Blaze!” The team shouts in unison.
The guys all finish grabbing their gear as they start to line up to head out to the ice, while the girls and I stay where we are, waiting for everyone to clear out.
Coach makes his way over to us as the guys file out of the room. “You all set for tonight, ladies?”
Hannah picks up her head, but keeps my hand in hers. “Everything’s set up and ready to go Daddy Davenport,” she teases, and I can’t help but burst into laughter at how his face lights up with a blush.
“I told you to stop calling me that, Hannah.” He chides, but there’s no bite to his tone.
“Please don’t say daddy when you refer to my dad, Han. I might actually throw up.” Emilia pulls away and fakes a gagging motion, making me laugh even harder.
“Oh come on, it’s all in good fun, right, Coach?” Hannah winks at him, and I quietly giggle at her antics.
I’ve noticed that she truly loves to tease and rile up Coach, and by the blush that’s coating his face, it’s definitely working.
“Anyways,” he says as he rolls his eyes and turns his attention toward me. “I came to check in with you Kailyn. I wanted to see how everything’s been going with this transition.”
I debate if I want to say anything now since we’re gearing up for a game, but decided that me keeping secrets is what got me into this mess in the first place.
“Actually, I’ve been having some issues with you know who,” I look behind me and around the room to make sure that he’s not listening. “He’s still upset about everything, and now it’s gotten to the point that he’s making me a bit uncomfortable.”
I feel both Hannah and Emilia squeeze my hands in silent support.
Coach sighs in frustration, but the softness he looks at me with lets me know it’s not directed towards me. “I had my suspicions he might act like an ass, but I also hoped that the talk Josh and I had with him would help.”
He runs his hands along his face, a tired expression behind them.
“I’m sorry Coach. I should’ve waited till after the game to tell you.”
His hands drop lightning fast as he reaches out and puts his hands on my shoulders.
“This is not on you, Kailyn. You have done nothing to deserve feeling uncomfortable because of him. I’m glad you told me now, because it’s my job to look after this team, and that includes every one of you.
” He looks at the three of us, sincerity shining in his eyes.
“Thanks, Coach. I hate to add more to your plate.”
He squeezes my shoulders once more before releasing me and taking a step back. “You let me worry about that. For now, I will loop in Coach Johnson and we’ll do our best to keep an eye on things tonight, and then come up with a game plan for moving forward, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“I promise, we will figure this out. I just need you to trust me.”
“I do.”
“Good. Just keep doing what you’ve been doing and if anything else happens, I don’t care what either of us is doing, you come tell one of us immediately.
” He smiles at each of us, then leans over to kiss Emilia on the cheek before turning and walking over towards the large line of players waiting to skate onto the ice.
“I’m proud of you, Kay.” Emilia steps in front of me, and I don’t even think. I wrap my arms around them both for a group hug.
We all burst out in laughter, and it makes me happy to know I’ve found my people.
“Thanks, babe. I’m glad to have you both.”
“Listen, you’re kinda stuck with us now. There’s no returns or exchanges allowed,” Hannah adds.
“Good, because I wasn’t planning on it. And just so you know, you're officially a member of the group, Han. So next wine night you’re coming over,” I say.
“Wait, when was the first wine night? And why wasn’t I invited?” Emilia pulls back and crosses her arms as she pouts at me.
“We haven’t had one yet, but we really need to. I love me a good wine night.”
“As long as there’s a charcuterie board and some chips there, I’m always down,” Hannah adds.
“Well then, I’ll add you to our group chat and we can set up an official night.” Em takes her phone out and quickly types before pocketing it. At the same time I feel my phone buzz and look to my watch, seeing that she’s added Hannah to the Chaos Girlies.
“Alright you two, let’s get going before we actually get in trouble. We still have a job to do.”
“But this is so much more fun,” Emilia teases as we all walk out of the locker room.
As we’re walking by the team, I can’t help but look around for Jake. As much as I don’t want to distract him right now, I need to see him just to calm my racing heart.
I walk down the line behind Hannah, saying hi to various players and making sure that everyone has what they need. When I’m almost at the front, I spot Jake standing with my brothers and Beckett. They’re all laughing.
I take a second to pause and stare at him.
The way his smile lights up his whole face, the laugh lines that crease his eyes and the sparkle behind them that I’ve missed so much.
I forgot what looking at him like this was like.
He’s the most attractive man I’ve ever seen, and he’s only gotten hotter with age.
His chiseled jaw and sharp edges highlight how handsome he is, and I can’t help getting lost as I stare at him.
How could I have let him go all those years ago?
He turns my way and makes eye contact with me, a knowing look on his face. It shakes me out of my thoughts, and I make my way over to them. “Hey guys, you all ready for tonight?”
“As ready as ever. Florida isn’t gonna know what’s coming for them,” Brayden cheers as some of the other team members around shout in support. Brandon rolls his eyes, a small smile evident on his face.
“It’s definitely going to be an interesting game tonight. This rivalry usually creates a lot of work for your staff.”
“My team is ready for anything. Just promise me you’ll all try and be safe out there?” As I plead, I turn my attention to Jake.
I want my brother to be safe, but a part of me is terrified about Jake truly getting hurt. Earlier this season when he hit his head on the ice, I was scared, but I knew he would be okay. Knowing how hard core this rivalry can be, I’m a little nervous.
“C’mon little Taylor, you don’t need to worry about us. We know how to handle ourselves,” Beckett chimes in, but I still can’t take my eyes off Jake, waiting for an answer from him.
“We’ll be as careful as we can be out there. You do know what sport we play, right?” He finally answers, his tease causes the tension to bleed from my shoulders as a sigh escapes my breath. I know he’s right, it's the sport they play, and the job I signed up for.
It doesn’t mean that I can’t be worried for them.
“I know, but I worry about you guys.”
“We’re glad to have you looking out for us, little Taylor.” I roll my eyes at him, as I take a step back, going to join the rest of the staff.
“Yeah, yeah. I won’t say it because I know how you all get, but have a great game guys.
” The guys all smile at me before turning back around, ready to skate on the ice.
Just as they get called on, I look over and see Jake staring at me, and when he notices me looking, he winks at me and then skates out to the cheers of the crowd.
“Come on, let’s go watch your man kick some Florida ass.” Hannah teases.
“He’s not?!” I splutter out. There’s no point in playing dumb when I can see the expression on her face, but I try anyway.
“Oh please, it’s so obvious that you two have something going on if you truly pay attention,” she winks.
“Please just don’t say anything to anyone.”
“My lips are sealed. Unless it’s with Emilia. Then, we may have had numerous conversations about it already.”
Sighing, I cover my face with my hands as it becomes red.
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. He’s so smitten with you, honestly I’m jealous.” She heaves a dreamy sigh, bumping my shoulder with hers.
“Really?”
“Yes, he looks at you like you’ve hung the moon.”
“We can talk more later, for now we have a game to focus on.” Hannah grabs my hand and walks me out to the bench, where we set up and get ready for puck drop.